Gracie, 2023
Gracie came to us from the University of Georgia as a Biology major and is now pursuing a career in Anesthesiology.
What She Had to Say About Her Experience:
“This internship opportunity has provided me with abundant insight and hands-on experience in the medical field. Each day, I witnessed procedures in the OR, new patient consults, post-operative follow-ups, clinic procedures, and many more patient interactions. I absolutely loved having the ability to witness such a variety of different facets of the patient care experience!
This experience confirmed my desire to pursue a career in the medical field, specifically anesthesia. It was incredible to observe the interactions between Dr. Robb and the anesthesiologist as they communicated about a patient's vitals and coordinated their plans of action. I loved how I gained so much knowledge by observing, completing tasks, and asking questions. I was not simply shadowing but learning how to sterilize instruments, interview patients about their experiences, and many more important roles. This hands-on portion of the internship taught me a great deal about the hidden responsibilities needed to maintain an effective practice. In addition, Dr. Robb and his staff constantly explained procedures to me and answered my questions.
One of my favorite things to do each day was to go into the OR, stand at the head of the bed, and ask as many questions as I could to Dr. Robb, the surgical tech, the OR nurse, and the anesthesiologist. Each member of the team was extremely willing to answer my questions and ensure I understood the concept fully, which enhanced my learning even further.
Not only was I able to witness interactions with patients, but I was also able to develop relationships with them throughout my internship. I welcomed many into the office for the first time, bringing them into a patient room as we chatted about our days. I was present in their consultation as they discussed the potential procedures with Dr. Robb. Then, I was able to see their excited faces on their procedure days and follow along with them in their recovery process. It was so exciting to see the schedule every morning and discover that one of the patients who I knew well was coming in for a visit. I would greet them at the door and was always met with a hug or other sign of affection as the patients remembered me and treated me with such kindness. Some patients even brought us delicious, homemade cookies or brought their dogs in to see us, which was always a special treat!
I cannot speak highly enough of every single member of Dr. Robb's team! They all welcomed me into their family which made me feel so loved. I looked forward to seeing them each morning and always knew we would have something to laugh about, especially scaring Mrs. Rita almost every day. One of my favorite memories in the office was our little "dip day" party, where everyone brought a different dip for people to try. We had so much fun tasting the different dips and talking to each other! Everyone treated me as an equal and close friend, for which I am forever thankful.
Overall, I had the absolute best experience in this internship. I learned a great deal about many different aspects of medicine. In addition, I simply had such an amazing time with everyone in the office. Dr. Robb's care for his patients is similar to his care for each team member, which is extremely evident in the positive office environment.”